Building Our Future

The bond referendum proposal is based on a nearly year-long facilities planning process that included: a 90-member Facilities Planning Committee composed of parents, staff and community members; several School Board discussions; community surveys; and demographic and facilities studies. Learn more about the planning process that led to the recommendation here.

In order for the recommended set of projects to become a reality, it would require a successful bond referendum on Nov. 5 this fall. 

The plan is comprehensive in nature, creating a domino-effect of solutions to meet the broad needs identified by the committee. A summary of the committee’s recommendation consists of updates across the district, including:

• district-wide additions and renovations to accommodate projected enrollment growth,

• safety and security improvements and deferred maintenance projects at all district facilities,

• district-wide classroom and building updates to create flexible learning spaces.

The recommendation also includes plans for specific building changes to meet student enrollment and academic needs:

• a new K-5 elementary school being built in Hugo,

• Converting Oneka from grades 2-5 to a K-5 elementary and Hugo Elementary from grades K-1 to a northern Early Childhood location,

• the current grades 9-10 North Campus receiving an addition to become the district’s grade 9-12 high school,

• Sunrise Park Middle School moving to the current grades 11-12 South Campus location,

• the current Sunrise Park Middle School site becoming the site for various community programs including the Senior Center and Early Childhood programs currently housed at Normandy Park, the Transition Education Center currently located in leased space in Hugo, and the district office,

• Central Middle School expanding to take over the current District Center building.

The plan is both complex and comprehensive as it touches each of our buildings in some way. 

The Facilities Planning Committee met from October, 2018 until April, 2019.

The School Board received updates on the project at the following School Board meetings:

• Sept. 10, 2018

• Oct. 22, 2018

• Jan. 28, 2019

• April 22, 2019 - The plan was presented to the School Board at this meeting

• June 10, 2019 - The School Board authorized administration to develop parameters for a November bond referendum at this meeting (see press release)

• June 27, 2019 - Parameters discussed at the work-study meeting

• July 15 - parameters acted upon at the regular meeting (see press release)

Projects would be staged so that students would attend school at their current buildings until construction is finished and space becomes available. 

When would the new elementary school open?

It is anticipated that the new elementary school would open in the fall of 2022.

How would we keep the small-campus feel we get with the two campuses when we’re all together in a large school?

One of our main priorities as we design our 9-12 campus will be to ensure that the small-campus feel of our two campuses isn’t lost as we merge into one school campus. This will be accomplished by the ways in which we design the student learning and activities experience along with how the building is physically designed. A team will come together to research other large high schools to design a student learning experience that ensures students have strong relationships with each other and the adults in the building. Additionally, we will partner with architects in designing a building that supports these relationships in an authentic and creative way.   

How would the student academic experience change in a larger 9-12 high school?

More students will be able to access robust course options. Our design team will examine models for our high school that will continue to support our many different electives, career pathways, and college credit course offerings in a meaningful way where students connect with each other and staff. Additionally, student learning structures that support personalized and flexible learning will be added to the student experience.      

How many students would be in the combined high school?

The high school would be built for up to 3400 students, which is the anticipated enrollment for grades 9-12 in the 2028-29 school year.

Why did the committee choose a solution that includes a one-campus high school? What are the benefits to students?

The committee discussed the benefits of a split campus versus a comprehensive 9-12 high school and felt the benefits of a combined school setting far outweighed arguments for continuing our split campus arrangement. The benefits of a single 9-12 building include access to comprehensive course offerings for all students including college and career pathway options; fewer transitions for students during critical adolescent developmental stages; and maintained consistent, longer-lasting staff and student relationships. Additionally, younger students have upper class students to serve as role models, and siblings are more likely to attend the same school together throughout their high school years.

Why didn’t the committee decide to build a brand new high school?

The facilities committee was committed to meeting as many needs as possible within a reasonable budget. Utilizing as much existing square footage as practical was a priority for cost control. It discussed building a brand new high school on a new site, but found the cost of a new high school on a new site would make it impossible to address our broad PK-12 district-wide facilities needs. The current North Campus building would be renovated and improved.

Does the District plan to buy property bordering North Campus?  

A single unified grade 9-12 high school could be built on the existing property already owned by the district. The district would consider purchasing neighboring homes from interested sellers if expansion made sense. The Board will not use eminent domain.

Is it true District Center will be torn down?   

No, District Center will not be torn down. Due to the cost and the historical significance of the building, that portion of the committee's plan that discussed Central Middle School (including the current district office space) being replaced at some point in the future was not accepted. Central Middle School would expand into the current District Center, so students would be back in our oldest and most historic building.

Does the District plan to buy property bordering North Campus?  

A single unified grade 9-12 high school could be built on the existing property already owned by the district. The district would consider purchasing neighboring homes from interested sellers if expansion made sense. The Board will not use eminent domain.